Oakland Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente speaks about the shooting of Jesus "Chuy" Campos at a press conference also attended by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (right) and Oakland Police Captain Ed Tracey (left) at Oakland police headquarters in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 8, 2011. Campos was shot shortly after 5:30 a.m. Friday morning near a side door to his restaurant Otaez Mexicatessen in the Fruitvale District and later died of his injuries.
Ran on: 05-02-2011
Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente
Ran on: 07-04-2011
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Oakland Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente speaks about the shooting of Jesus "Chuy" Campos at a press conference also attended by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (right) and Oakland Police Captain Ed Tracey (left) at ... more

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Dan Siegel speaks to the press.
Group of SF firefighters sueing to compel the chief to enforce disciplinary measures against drinking in firehouses. meet at Black Firefighters Assn. hq
The San Francisco Chronicle, Penni Gladstone
Photo taken on 3/17/05, in San Francisco,
Ran on: 05-02-2011
Attorney Dan Siegel less

FIRE058PG.JPG Ê
Dan Siegel speaks to the press.
Group of SF firefighters sueing to compel the chief to enforce disciplinary measures against drinking in firehouses. meet at Black Firefighters Assn. hq
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Photo: Penni Gladstone, The Chronicle

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S.F. tops $1 million in taxpayer campaign financing

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San Francisco just passed the million-dollar mark in taxpayer cash financing the politicos in this year's mayoral race.

That's enough to pay the yearly salaries of eight cops or nurses, or a dozen city gardeners.

Topping the list of those in the money is former Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who has picked up $452,044 in public matching funds for his campaign.

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After $125,000, the city matches the candidate's money dollar for dollar.

Dufty has raised $127,044, which, with the city's help, he has parlayed into a total pot of $579,088.

So far, 32 potential candidates have taken out papers to run, and the August filing deadline is more than three months away. By the time the November election rolls around, the city will probably have shelled out $6 million to $8 million, Ethics Commission Director John St. Croix says.

As for how the candidates justify taking the money in these lean times?

"I recognize it's taxpayer money ... but it's worth it," Dufty said. "My 2,000 San Francisco donors (used to qualify for city dollars) balance out the big money that could come into this race."

Herrera told us, "This is the system that all the candidates are operating under. And it was designed to limit the influence of special-interest and big-money contributors."

Yee, who raised and spent more than $1 million in his uncontested bid for re-election to the state Senate in November, said, "The general sense is the voters wanted a level playing field."

What's more, Yee said, the system is working.

"Rather than raising money, I'm out talking to hundreds of people about the issues that concern them."

At issue: whether Siegel, an attorney in private practice with no official portfolio at City Hall, overstepped his authority when he recently took part in a meeting called by U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson to discuss the city's long-running police consent decree.

"If accurate, not only is it not acceptable, but it's illegal," fumed Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente, who reportedly exchanged sharp words with Quan last week after learning about Siegel's presence at the April 12 meeting.

The issue is especially sensitive to the cops, given Siegel's vocal criticisms of the department's handling of everything from street protests to gang injunctions.

"I went to the meeting to look out for the mayor's interest," Siegel said.

Ford's future: After a brief respite, Muni chief Nathaniel Fordis once again feeling the heat from City Hall.

The issue: Ford's repeated attempts to jump ship, once to Los Angeles and twice to Washington, D.C.

Ford, who has two years left on his contract, is not willing to guarantee he'll stay if another offer comes his way - especially since a new mayor may be rolling into Room 200 in January.

The city wants him to stick around until the current union negotiations are done. Then there would be an amicable separation and a buyout of his remaining contract.

But that may come sooner, if Ford makes the call - or if the city decides it's not worth the wait.

"We've said from the start that we want someone who is 150 percent committed," said one City Hall higher-up. "We aren't interested in temporary appointments."

Island fever: Aaron Peskin, the ex-Board of Supervisors president and now chairman of the county Democratic Party, is once again feverishly dialing and texting San Francisco officials.

This time, he's trying to derail the big Treasure Island deal.

Peskin, who as a supervisor was notorious for his middle-of-night phone rants to department heads, called the proposed high-rise plan that just squeaked by the Planning Commission a "laughingstock mistake."

"It will horrify San Francisco and the Bay Area for decades to come," Peskin said.

So he has been blasting away with phone messages and texts - sometimes even as the officials are testifying at city meetings.

Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815 or e-mail matierandross@sfchronicle.com.